Alex's counts were WAY up on Friday. When his bone marrow kicked back in, it kicked back in big time. So we had round four of his chemo-which was another "big" round with all 3 drugs. Not sure if it's teething (I know he's cutting his lower left 2nd year molar) or chemo side effects, but the evenings have been a mess. He wouldn't go to sleep Friday night, didn't want to take his meds, and was crying A LOT. I knew it wasn't anything too serious because Robert could make him laugh by being silly (YAY for Daddy!). About 9:45 we'd just had enough and I suggested a car ride. Worked like a charm.
Saturday morning he was happy enough that I got out to go meet a friend for a mani/pedi and to eat lunch. Felt really good to have some "me" time. Now I just have to find a way to kick Robert out for some time for himself. Between work and school, he doesn't have much spare time to begin with. So when you add on a cranky toddler that takes 2 parents to juggle, life gets really interesting.
I'm going to attempt to go into the office tomorrow. I spent two hours there today and felt like I got a good chunk done, but it's never enough when you've been out for a week! I was working from home, but there are the inevitable bits and pieces that just require me to be there in person. We'll see how Alex does. I may just work half a day in the office and do the rest of the day here at home.
1 comment:
Great idea on the car ride! Based on watching Dan go through so many rounds of chemo, eventually the chemo produces a non-specific, ache-all-over-and-everywhere state that just grinds at the patient, kind of like the body aches you can get with a nasty virus. Making the patient laugh works for a bit because you're kicking in the good endorphins. So anything else that produces endorphins, or soothes the all-over aches can help. Massage? Water play? And anything that can distract him in a pleasant way but not requiring action on his part when he's tired might help - something analogous to channel-surfing? I think the car ride gave both gentle vibration and a distracting light show.
Hang in there!
Jeanne
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